Praise and CelebrateThe Sacramentsthe grace of these sacraments, we become more like Jesus. We begin to think like Jesus. We act like Jesus. We love as he does. We are more Christlike.BaptismBaptism is the beginning of Christian life. It is like being born again into the new life of Christ.The action of Baptism is being immersed in water or having water poured over your head. The words of Baptism are, “______, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Baptism and Confirmation mark you as belonging to Christ and make you a member of the Catholic Church.The invisible sign, or mark, received in Baptism and Confir- mation is called the “character.” Because the character is permanent, Baptism and Confirmation are received only once.Con rmationConfirmation strengthens and completes the graces received at Baptism. The Holy Spirit strengthens the bond a baptized person has with Christ and with the Church. The grace of Confirmation helps you to do Christ’s work in the world.The sacraments are actions of Christ and the Church. They are ways God gives his life, calledgrace, to us. The Catholic Church celebrates Seven Sacraments.They are Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.The words and actions of the sacraments are signs. They showus what Jesus is doing for us. Jesus really comes to us in the Eucharist. Jesus really forgives our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The power of the sacraments comes from the Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus.Sacraments of Christian InitiationBaptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are Sacraments of Christian Initiation. They bringus into a special friendship with Jesus. Remember that this special friendship is called sanctifying grace. Baptism is the beginningof this new life. Confirmation celebrates the Gift of the Holy Spirit and makes our new life stronger. Eucharist feeds it so that it can grow deeper and more loving. With21